System and truck for loading boxed produce



April 13, 1943. H. c. PIERCE SYSTEM AND TRUCK FOR LOADING BOXED PRODUCE Filed Feb. 17. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 13, 1943. c, PIERCE 2,316,614

HSYSTEM- A-ND TRUCK-FOR LOADING BOXED ERODUQE Fina-Feb. 17,1941 2 s Gets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 13, 1943 UNITED SYSTEM AND TRUCK FOR LOADING BOXED PRODUCE Harold 0. Pierce, Pomona, Calif.

Application February 17, 1941, Serial No. 379,266

18 Claims.

This invention deals in a general way with improved systems and apparatus for handling and conveying boxed produce, and particularly crown-packed fruits such as'oranges, lemons and the like, contained in boxes having bowed lids and adapted; by reason of the configuration of the boxes, to be conveyed, loaded and transported in particular relative arrangement.

Taking citrus fruits as typical, the customary practice in handling and loading .the boxed fruit for shipment, has been to .truck or otherwise convey the crown-packed boxes from the lidding machine in the packing house, into box cars spotted nearby, and to arrange the boxes in the car on end and in transverse rows, usually two tiers deep, with the bowed lids of the boxes in each row facing the same side wall of the car,

or with the boxes at either side of the row center, facing opposite side walls of the car. When thus arranged, the bowed lid of each box is adjacent or in engagement with the bottom of the next box toward one or the other side of the car, as the case may be.

Insofar as I am aware, the consistent practice heretofore has been to stack the boxes coming from the press lidder, on their sides and'ordinarily about four high. Each box stack is then engaged by and loaded on a hand truck and thus conveyed into the car for placement as described above. In unloading the hand truck, the operator or car loader, is required to take the boxes from the truck, stand them on end, two high, and place them in proper relationship with respect to their bowed and bottom surfaces in transverse rows as aforesaid. Thus, this usual method involves considerable labor in first having to stack the boxes in horizontal positions as they are received from the lidding machine, and later to up-end and stack the boxes in different positions for arrangement in the car.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to simplify this customary method of handling and conveying the boxes from the lidding machine to the car, and to largely dispense with a number of box handling operations or manipuof box stack herein shown.

lations, and consequently the time and labor' It will be recognized that by this method, the

boxes are initially arranged and stacked in the same relative positions which they will occupy when finally loadedin the car. Conveyance of the boxes stacked in this manner, as distinguished from the usual arrangemenhhas necessitated development of an improved and different hand truck so designed and operated as to accommodate itself to the different box arrangement. It is with this improved truck that the present application is primarily and more particularly concerned.

' The present truck may be described generally as comprising clamps, which individually may be of the usual type, adapted to engage and support the box load from the outside. The box supporting or clamping mechanism however diiiers from those heretofore used on the conventional stacks, in that it is adapted to support,,and if desired to positively clamp the individual bottom boxes from their inside as well as outside surfaces. Accordingly, the clamping or supporting mechanism is made to enter the space between the adjacent bowed and bottom surfaces of the boxes, and preferably to be outwardly expansible into clamping engagement with the boxes. The invention contemplates also improvements with respect to hydraulic or fluid pressure actuated mechanisms for the clamps, and it may be mentioned that in this respect, the invention is not necessarily limited to trucks or clamping mechanisms specifically adapted to the particular form Improvements in the truck mechanisms also include various additional features such as an automatic clamp locking device, means for laterallysupporting the upper part of the load, and a device operable automatically to disengage and displace the truck from the load. All these various features can perhaps be explained to better advantage in connection with the later detailed description.

After the boxes taken from the lidder have been stacked on end and in pairs as described, the box load may be engaged by the truck and conveyed into the car. No further individual handling of the boxes is required for the reason that with the boxes prearranged on the truck, it is only necessary to direct the truck into such position that the boxes can be deposited in proper position in the transverse rows within the car, and to then disengage the truck.

Upon arrival of the car at its destination, it is made possible by the present truck to remove the boxes from the car in the same relative positions inwhich they were loaded into and carried in the car. This again is in distinction to the usual method of unloading requiring the boxes to be stacked on their sides withinthe car in order that they may be handled by the un-' loading trucks. This operation is entirely obviated by the invention, resulting in further savings of time and labor, and also the damage and injury to the fruit and boxes that customarily results from rehandling and restacking the boxes in unloading the car.

Having explained the general method of loading and the advantages of the truck by reason of its adaptability to that method, I shall now proceed to a more detailed description of a typical and illustrative embodiment of the truck construction, as shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showin the truck as it is being applied to the box load;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. l, the upper boxes being broken away to show the adjustable Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation showing certain jaw operating parts of the truck, as viewed from line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged plan on line 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing the inner clamp arrangement;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on line 6-8 of Fig. 4, illustrating the upper end construction of the pedal and jaw releasing device;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation as viewed from line '|-"I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a center cross-section on line 8-8 of Fig. 'I;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on broken line 9-! of Fig. '1;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on line III-10 of Fig. 7; and

i Fig. 11 is a section taken on line illl of Fig. 8.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the preferred form of the invention is embodied in a truck particularly adapted and constructed to convey crownpacked boxes arranged side by side on end, with the load ordinarily two boxes high. As previously explained, use ofthe present truck obviates and renders unnecessary, much of the work required of the loader when handling the boxes according to the customary method of stacking 26, the latter projecting beyond the side rails at the bottom of the frame, as best illustrated in Fig. 7. Metal facings 21 are applied to the forward, load engaging surfaces of the side rails. The truck frame is mounted on wheels 28, the

axles 29 of which are journaled within brackets 30 bolted at ll, Sla to a base 22, which in turn is bolted at 33,]! and 31a to the side rails 2|.

The load supporting parts comprise a pair of outer clamps I4 projecting forwardly of the frame beyond the side rails 2|, and having at or near 7 their front ends, inwardly projecting jaws or dies 35, see Fig. 2, adapted to be thrust inwardly beneath the bottom ends of the boxes, upon full inward movement of the clamps. It will be noted that the irmer surfaces 34a of the clamp are beveled at an angle corresponding generally to the slope of the bulged box lids I8, thus permitting inward movement of the clamp adjacent the outer lid, a distance suflicient to permit engagement of the jaw 35 beneath the box. Clamps 24 are integral with plates 38 slideable transversely of'the truck frame between member 25 and rollers 31 joumaled on pins 38 within the side rails 2|.

The outer clamps 24 are actuated by fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assemblies generally indicated at 29, see Fig. 10, mounted on adjustable supports or carriers 4|! movable along the frame member 25. Each of these carriers 40 comprises a pair. of spaced plates 4| and 42 interconnected by bolts 43' and 44 about which are placed rollers 45 to facilitate transverse movement of the carriers 40 along frame member 25. For any given range of operation of the clamps 34, the carriers 40 are made variable by an adjusting mechanism, generally indicated at 41, comprising a nut or arbor 48 carried on a threaded shaft 48 journaled within bearing 50 attached to frame member 24, see Fig. 8, the lower end of the shaft being supported within a stationary socket ii. The arbor 48 is connected to each of the carriers 40 by toggle links 52 and i2 pivotally interconnected at 54 and pivotally attached at to the arbor and at I to the carrier bolt 44, as shown in Fig. 9. Links 52 and 53' are held against pivotal movement in one direction by a stop flange 51 on link 53, thus normally providing a longitudinally rigid but breakable connection between the arbor and the carrier. When it is desired to move either carrier,

together with the corresponding jaw 34', inwardly and trucking them on their sides and ultimately loading them on end in the car. According to the system of loading herein contemplated, the boxes l5 coming from the lidding machine are arranged side by side on end, with the bulged crown ii of one box adjacent to or engaging the bottom surface of the other box, so as to leave a space I! therebetween. Theboxes thus are prearranged in accordance with their relative positions in which they are to be finally loaded in the car, and most generally the boxes will be arranged as shown in Fig. 2, with the bulged crown or lid ii of one box engaging the bottom surface III of the other box. It may be mentioned however that in some instances it may be desirable to truck the boxes with the bulged crowns of the boxes in each tier in engagement, particularly to meet conditions of center loading inthecar.

- The truck, generally indicated at 20, may have a usual frame structure comprising, for example, a pair of side rails 2i terminating in handles 22, and interconnected by cross bars 23, 24, 25 and beyond a location to which such inward movement otherwise would be limited by the arbor, links 52 and 53 may beswung outward about pivot 54 to permit inward displacement of the carrier. Such manipulation of the parts may be made in the event the truck is being used to carry only one stack of boxes, and it is then desirable to displace the clamp 34 not in use, to give increased clearance at its side of the truck. Adjustment of the carriers 40 by the mechanism described, may conveniently be made by the operator, by turning handle 58 to roiuitte the screw shaft 49 and thereby raise or lower the arbor to varythe carrier spread.

I Referring to Fig. 10, the hydraulically powered mechanisms 39 for operating the clamps 24, each comprises a cylinder 5! attached at '60 to the carrier plate 42 and containing a piston .il through the outer portion of which is inserted a pin 62 received at 63 within an opening in the end portion 35a of plate 38. By introducing fluid under pressure through line 44 to the cylinder II, piston 6| through its pin connection 82, moves the plate and clamp assembly inwardly relative to both the' frame and carrier 48. The inner end of the plate is guided in such movement by engagement with a roller 88 journaled on pin 81 between the carrier members II and 42. Maximum inward movement of the plate and clamp assembly relative to the carrier 88, is determined by engagement of the plate carried stop 88 with the side of the carrier, and outward movement of the plate and clamp assembly, is limited by engagement of pin 88 with the carrier, as shown in Fig. 10. Each outer clamp is moved inwardly against the resistance of a coil spring 18 connected at H, to the piston carried pin 82, and at its opposite end to a bracket 12 integral with the cylinder 88. Upon release of the fluid pressure from the cylinder through conduit 84, spring 18 operates to return the Jaw 84 to its outer position illustrated in Fig. 7.

The boxes iii are supported at their inner faces exposed to space I1, by suitable means carried by the truck and adapted to be thrust into the' space as the truck is applied to the load. While the invention broadly contemplates the provision of any suitable means of this character for supporting the inner faces of the boxes, I prefer to employ for this purpose a second set of movable jaws to insure maximum support and stability for the boxes, by positively engaging orgripping them at the inside as well as the outside. As best illustrated in Fig. 5, the inner clamp assembly comprises a pair of forwardly extending clamps 18 and 18 tapering toward their forward ends, which are formed with enlargements 15 in overlapping relation arm shaped to provide, when in collapsed position shown, a substantially continuously curved end surface 18 to facilitate insertion of the clamps within space I1 between the boxes. Each clamp carries a laterally projecting jaw or die 11 which, when the clamps are spread apart as will presently appear, is thrust against the bottom portion of the adjacent box, in a manner similar to the action of the outer laws 85, as previously explained.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8,- jaws 18 and 18 are formed integrally with vertically extending arms 18 and 18 pivotally supported on bolts 88 to provide swinging mountings for the jaws.

Bolts 88 serve also to attach to frame members 25 a plate 8| to the upper end of which the arbor screw socket is welded. The hydraulic power cylinder and inner clamp actuating cylinder assemblies, are supported by a bracket structure 82 secured to plate 8| by bolts 88, and attached through the lower portion of plate 8I to the bottom frame member 28, by bolts 88.

The outer jaw actuating piston and cylinder assemblies 38, as well as the later described piston and cylinder assembliesfor operating the inner clamps, are supplied with pressure fluid (e. g. a low viscosity oil) under control of the operator, from one or more power cylinders mounted on or cast integrally with the bracket structure 82. In order to provide for individual and selective operation of the clamps applicable to either of the bottom boxes, I preferably provide a pair of power cylinders 88 and 81 individually connected through conduits 88 with the outer clamp actuating cylinders 58. Cylinders 88 and 81 contain pistons 88 individually displaceable by the operation of foot pedals 88 pivotally mounted at 88 on arm extensions 8I of the bracket structure 82. Each pedal has forward and rear treads 82 and 83, and carries a depending lug or cam 88 which engages and depressesa piston 88 when the operator steps down on the tread 83. Each cam lug gaging or operative positions.

88 bass squared end 840 which when the piston 88 is fully depressed, flatly engages-the top of the piston and locks it in its depressed position, preventing displacement of fluid back into the cylinder until the pedal is released, and thereby causing the clamps to be locked in their box en- Referring now to Fig. 11, cylinders 88 and 81 communicate through passages 88 and 81 with the inner ends of cylinders 88 and 88 containing pistons I88 operatively connected to the inner pair of jaws 18 and 18. Pistons I88 carry transverse pins I8I, the outer ends of which are received within openings I82 in the clamp arms with sumcient clearance to permit slight lost mo-, tion due to the swinging movement of the clamp. The opposite ends of pins I8I are interconnected by a coil spring I88 tending to resist movement apart of the pistons I 88 and spreading movement of the clamps 18 and 18. Displacement oi fluid from cylinders 88, 81 into cylinders 88, 88 moves pistons I88 outward, thus causing the clamp arms 18 and 18 to swing apart short angular distances about pivots 88. Maximum outward displacement of the arms is limited by their engagement with suitable stops I88 in the frame member 28. Spreading movement of the clamps 13 and 14 thrusts the jaws 11 beneath the box ends. Upon release of the foot pedals 88, permitting return displacement of fluid into cylinders 88 and 81, spring I88 moves pistons I88 inwardly and withdraws the laws 11 from operative engagement with the load.

The invention further provides in conjunction with the hydraulic clamp operating system, a device for automatically releasing the power pistons 88 from their locked or depressed positions when the truck is to be disengaged from the load. Referring to Figs. 4 and 8, I provide a pedal releasing device, generally indicated at I88, comprising a rod I extending through a guide I88 cast integrally with cylinders 88 and 88, and carrying a base plate I81a normally bearing against the floor. Rod I85 carries on its upper end a tubular head I81 movable downwardly on the rod against the resistance of coil spring I88 a distance permitted within the limits of engagement of rod carried pin I88 within slot II8. Bodily downward movement of the rod I85 relative to the guide casting I86 is limited by engagement of the rod flange III with the upper end |88a of the casting. The operation of the pedal releasing device I88 can perhaps later be explained to better advantage in describing the operation of the truck as a whole.

In applying the truck to the load, the outer bowed box crown I6 may be at one side or the other of the load, depending upon the side from which the load is approached, or the particular position in which it is to be arranged on the truck for placement in the car. In order to laterally support the upper tier of boxes against movement on the truck I provide a retaining bar 2, see Fig. 2, having angular end portions II3 adapted to be brought into engagement with the outer sides of the load. Bar I I2 has pin and slot connections Ill with the side rails l2 so that the bar may be shifted laterally of the truck in either direction, depending on which side the bulged box crown I8 is placed. End portions I I8 of the bar advantageously may consist of angular pieces pivotally connected at 8 to the body of the bar so as to be capable of swinging relative thereto. When the truck is being wheeled in inclined position toward the load, the inclination of truck clamps are disengaged from the load, the

truck becomes automatically displaced by movement away from the load to a position as illustrated in Fig. 1. In a simple and preferred form, the truck displacing device comprises a. pair of angular arms II6 pivotally mounted at II1 on the side rails 2| and interconnected at their lower ends by a cross-member IIO. Normally the arm and cross-member assembly is thrust forward to the position shown, as determined by engagement of the arm with stop pins IIS, by coil springs I connecting the upper ends of the arms with the frame. As the truck is applied to the load and the boxes are tilted back into-flush engagement with the truck frame according to the customary manner, arms H6 are displaced inwardly into substantial parallelism with the side rails 2|, with plate Ill confined between the surface of the truck face plates 21 and the adjacent surfaces of the lower boxes. It is important to observe that the thrust of coil springs I20 exerted through arms IIBVand member IIO against the load, is applied thereto at an elevation sufficiently low that the counteractive effect of such thrust on the truck is to cause the truck to move away from the load with the truck remaining in its normal vertical position as shown in Fig. 1. In this manner the truck is prevented from tilting while being retracted from the load, thus assuring withdrawal of the clamps, and particularly the inner clamps 13 and 14, without binding engagement with the load which would otherwise occur should the truck become tilted.

In describing its operation, assume that the truck first is moved against the box load in the aspect of Fig. 1, with the clamps and their operating parts in their normal positions of Figs. 4 to 11. When the bottom of the truck is moved flush against the load, (forcing arms H6 and plate H8 into retracted position as previously described) the operator steps on the foot pedals 09 to actuate the clamps by the displacement of fluid from cylinders 06 and 81 into each pair 90. Since the pistons in each of said pairs of cylinders are actuated by fluid displaced from the same power cylinder 86 and 81,'the clamps being applied to either box are actuated uniformly and by the same fluid pressure, thus assuring proper centering of the box with relation, to the clamps and secure engagement and retention of the boxes by the clamps. For many reasons it may be desirable to release the clamps from the load before such time as the load and truck may be tilted back to carrying position. This purpose is served by the pedal releasing ,device I04 through the reaction of the spring supported head I01. Downward movement of the pedals 09 is resisted by coil spring I00 through engagement of the head I01 by the inwardly projecting pedal flanges I22. Consequently, while the truck is in the positions of Figs. 1 and 8, spring I00 will operate to return the pedals to b5 of the clamp operating cylinders 59, 88 and 59,

their raised positions regardless of how far down they may have become pressed.

With the clamps firmly applied to the load and while the pedals 89 are depressed, the operator grasps the top of the load and tilts the truck backward on its wheels. As a result, rod I05 of the pedal releasing device remains supported on the floor and the pedals are swung away from the head I01 to relieve its upward thrust against the pedals. The latter thereafter remain locked in their piston depressin positions by engagement with the squared shoulders 04a with the tops of the pistons, while the truck is being wheeled in its inclined position.

Upon reaching the load destination, the truck may be released from the boxes simply by tilting the load forward to resting position on the floor and returning the truck to the upright position of Fig. 1. As the truck approaches this upright position, the spring supported head I01 on the pedal releasing rod I05 comes into engagement with flanges I22 to swing the pedals upwardly to their clamped releasing positions. Springs 10 and I03 immediately retract the clamps from the boxes and cause fluid to be displaced from the clamp actuating cylinders back through conduit 64 into the power cylinders 86 and 81. Immediately upon release of the clamps, the truck is automatically retracted from the load to substanment having various features and details that may be desirable in a truck capable of serving all the different purposes for which these features and details are intended. It is to be understood, however. that this showing is typical only, and that various individual features may be dispensed with, and various changes and modifications otherwise made without departure from the invention in its intended spirit and scope.

I claim: a

1. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, box holding means comprising bodily movable clamps engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck, member adapted to be inserted within said space and bodily movable apart into supporting engagement with the box faces exposed thereto, and means for manually operating said clamps and members.

2. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, and box holding means comprising bodily movable members projecting forwardly of the frame and engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck and with inner faces of the boxes exposed to said space, and means for transmitting fluid pressure to actuate said members in their bodily movement.

3. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a. frame, box holding means comprising movable members engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck, supporting means adapted to be inserted within said space and engageable with the box faces exposed thereto, and

manually controlled hydraulically actuated means for operating said members and comprising a foot pedal and piston assembly operable to transmit fluid pressure to actuate said members.

4. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one" box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, box holding -means comprising movable clamps engag'eable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck, members adapted to be inserted within said space and movable into supporting engagement with the box faces exposed thereto, and manually controlled hydraulically actuated means comprising a foot pedal and piston assembly operable to transmit fluid pressure to produce bodily movementof said clamps and members.

5. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to forms. space between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, a plurality of clamp members projecting forwardiy from the frame and engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck and with inner faces of the boxes exposed to said space, foot pedal means, and means actuated thereby to bring said clamp members into supporting engagement with the boxes.

6. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, a pair of outer clamps projecting forwardly from the frame and engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck, a pair of inner clamps projecting from the frame and adapted to be inserted within said space between the boxes, and foot operated means mounted on the frame for actuating said inner and outer clamps.

7. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, a pair of outer clamps projecting forwardly from the frame and engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the' truck, a pair of inner clamps projecting from the frame and adapted to be inserted within said space between the boxes, hydraulically operated means for actuating the inner and outer clamps engageable with one of said boxes, hydraulically operated means for actuating the inner and outer clamps engageable with the other-box, and foot actuated means for controlling both of said hydraulically operated means.

8. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space.

between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, box holding means comprising members engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck and with inner faces of the boxes exposed to said space, manually controlled means for operating said box holding means, locking meansfor retaining said holding means in operative position, and means for releasing said holding means by bodily tilting movement of the truck.

9. In a box conveying truck of the character described, the combination comprising a wheeled frame adapted to be moved against a box load, clamping means-operable to engage and disengage the-load, and self-acting means carried by the truck and operable upon disengagement of the clamping means to move the truck away from the load, the last mentioned means comprising a member mounted on the truck and movable toward the frame by application of the truck to the box load, and yielding means resisting such movement of the member.

'10. In a box conveying truck of the character described, the combination comprising a wheeled frame adaptedto be moved against a box load, clamping means operable to engage and disengage the load, and spring actuated means carried by the truck and operable automatically upon disengagement of the clamping means to bear against the load and move the truck away from the load. I

11. In a box conveying truck of the character described, the combination comprising a frame,

a movable member adapted to engage and sup-- port a box against movement relative to the frame. manually controlled means for transmitting fluid pressure to actuate said member, means for locking said member in its box supporting position, and means for releasing said fluid pressure to release said locking means by bodily tilting movement of the truck.

12. In a box conveying truck of the character described, the combination comprising a frame, a movable member adapted to engage and support a box against movement relative to the frame, a piston for transmitting fluid pressure to actuate said member into its box supporting position, means for locking said piston in its corresponding positlon, and means for releasing said fluid pressure to retract said member from its box supporting position by bodily tilting movement of the truck.

13. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a'frame, box holding means carried by the frame and comprising members projecting forwardly of the frame and engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of thetruck' and with inner faces-of the boxes exposed to said space, and means for producing relative bodily movement of said members to press against said inner and outer faces of the boxes.

14. A truck for conveying bulged crown boxes arranged side by side on end with the crown of one box adjacent the other box to form a space between the boxes, said truck comprising a frame, box holding means carried by the frame and comprising movable members projecting forwardly of the frame and engageable with the outer faces of said boxes at the sides of the truck, supporting means adapted to be inserted within said space and engageable with the box faces exposed 'thereto, and means for moving said members engagement with and to support a box against movement relative to the frame, a fluid pressure displaceable element for actuating said movable member, and manually controlled means positioned between the frame and said'wheel axis and operable to develop fluid pressure for communication to said element.

16. In a box conveying truck ofjthe character described, the combination comprising a frame,

' a pair of wheels having their common axis offset the box,andmanually controlled means positioned between the frame and said wheel axis and operable to develop fluid pressure for communication to said element.

17. In a box conveying truck of the character described, thecombination comprising a frame, a pair of wheels having their common axis offset rearwardly of the frame, a pair of members projecting forwardly of the frame and movable oppositely to engage and support the truck box load against movement relative to the frame, in-

erativeiy connected to said members, and manually controlledmeans positioned between the frame and said wheel axis and operable to develop fluid pressure for communication to said elements. 1 I

18. In a box conveying truck of the character described, the combination comprising a frame, a pair of wheels having their common axis offset rearwardly of the frame, a pair of clamps projecting forwardly from the bottom portion of the frame and movable transversely to support the truck box load against'moveme'nt relative to the frame, individual piston and cylinder assemblies operatively connected to said clamps, means communicating with said assemblies for developing s fluid pressure to actuate the clamps, the last mentioned means being positioned between the frame and said wheel axis and foot pedal means overlying the wheel axis and adapted to actuate said fluid pressure developing means.

i HAROLD C. PIERCE. 

